Indiana University students protest one year after Oct. 7 Hamas attack

Pro-Palestine activists gathered in the courtyard outside the Luddy School of Informatics at Indiana University on Oct. 8 to call for IU to divest from Israel and cut ties with Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane , a southern Indiana military laboratory and weapons depot.

The action was organized by IU Divestment Coalition as part of a “Week of Action” to commemorate one year since Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel and the Israeli military’s subsequent and ongoing campaign in Gaza. To date, the conflict has led to over 40,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, and 1,200 deaths in Israel, in addition to the 1,200 Israelis killed in the initial attack and the more than 100 Israeli hostages who remain in captivity.

The protest put a renewed focus on IU’s partnership with NSWC Crane, with organizers distributing pamphlets highlighting Crane’s role in transporting and renovating Mark 80 series bombs. The 2,000 lbs. bombs have frequently been used in Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza .

“This is America, and this will be IU’s legacy if it doesn’t divest from the military-industrial complex,” one organizer who spoke at the event said.

Protests have continued across IU’s campus this semester since the pro-Palestinian solidarity encampment in Dunn Meadow was removed and the area fenced off in early August. IU has said “restoration” of Dunn Meadow will take several months and has not specified a timeline.

Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com . Follow him on Twitter/X at @brianwritesnews .

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana University students protest one year after Oct. 7 Hamas attack